Season › 2017-18 › News
Everton vs Southampton

Will Wayne Rooney keep his place after being substituted again in the Blues' last outing at Huddersfield?
Everton wrap up their home fixtures for the season by hosting relegation-threatened Southampton in the late afternoon game.
The Saints will begin the day in 18th place and one point from safety but could, depending on results elsewhere in the earlier kick-offs, be deeper in the mire and in more desperate need of three points.
Everton, meanwhile, can consolidate their hold on eighth place with a result or guarantee a finish in that slot with a victory and a defeat for Leicester at home to West Ham… which would have important ramifications for Southampton given that they are three points behind the Hammers coming into the weekend.
Sam Allardyce looks set to have the same squad from which to select as he has for the last few games, with only Mason Holgate back in training from those facing medium-term lay-offs. Gylfi Sigurdsson's recovery continues but he is unlikely to play again before the World Cup.
Once again, the manager could throw in a fringe player like he did last week with Nikola Vlasic but with the need to get a good result to further his own prospects of remaining in the Goodison hot seat next season in mind, he is unlikely to change things around too much.
That should mean an unchanged back five despite Ashley Williams's availability and Ramiro Funes Mori's keenness for game time and the continued presence of Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye in the holding roles.
And with Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott nailed on to also start, it leaves just the wide left role and Wayne Rooney's place as the only areas where Allardyce could mix things up, with two of Rooney, Vlasic, Yannick Bolasie and Tom Davies the likely options.
Southampton's position is parlous but they will have been buoyed significantly by their 2-1 win in the south coast derby against Bournemouth last weekend. It was their first win in nine games under Mark Hughes who will not only be trying to save the Saints' skins but to avoid having a hand in the relegation of two Premier League clubs in the same season, an unwanted feat he he will achieve if Stoke go down as well.
The former Everton striker is still deprived of the services of Steven Davis because of an Achilles injury and will be without Sofiane Boufal out of choice following a recent bust-up.
Ultimately, Southampton's desperation could prove to be the decisive factor. They have been poor since these two teams last met in November, a match that, in tandem with the game against Atalanta, precipitated the move for Sam Allardyce but with the chips down and enough talent in the ranks in the likes of Charlie Austin and Dusan Tadic, they could pose the Toffees some problems.
Whatever the result, of course, Everton's manager and players are expected to remain on the pitch after the whistle for a lap of if not honour then hopefully appreciation from them at the support they have received despite a dreadful season.
Whether there will be many Blues left in the stands remains to be seen. There has been a swell of opinion on social media that fans should leave after the final whistle and further suggestions that a walkout be staged in the 78th minute to make a point. Evertonians aren't usually given to such collective acts of protest or defiance so it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
Kick-off: 5.30pm, Saturday 5 May, 2018
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Last Time: Everton 3 - 0 Southampton
Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Coleman, Jagielka, Keane, Baines, Schneiderlin, Gueye, Rooney, Bolasie, Walcott, Tosun
Reader Comments (75)
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2 Posted 05/05/2018 at 09:28:30
Tosun to score again !.
3 Posted 05/05/2018 at 09:31:13
4 Posted 05/05/2018 at 09:41:54
Klaassen straight into the starting line up for me - Davies has been poor off the bench, so he doesn't warrant a start. Klassen hasn't had a chance at all. GIVE HIM A GO.
Pickford
Coleman Jagielka(c) Keane Baines
Gueye Schneiderlin Klaassen
Vlasic Tosun Walcott
Robles, FunesMori, Baninigime, Davies, Rooney, Bolasie, Tosun
5 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:02:39
6 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:05:59
but by the Cameras too.
I also hasten to add that if any banners are shown Bullens Road or Gwladys Street would be the best display point, as they would be in view of the Director's Box.
What a sad state we have come to, when we are even discussing this sort of action, but ' they ' must be made aware of the discontent throughout the majority of supporters.
Furthermore, it would re-inforce the fact that without supporters, the Club is reduced to nothing.
7 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:08:01
8 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:16:07
If the Saints players still think they have a decent chance to escape relegation they will be well up for it and I can see us having a bad day.
Can't see many changes in the line up from last week, maybe one change.
Thankfully the season is almost over and we can consign it in the disaster column. Thank Sam and send him on his way in a 7 seater with a few of the players.
9 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:23:21
Big Sam gone and Kenwright still chairman means more of the same regardless of whose manager.
That is why a walkout is imperative as the board will not be able to avoid the publicity.
It has to be by a big number of people though to attract the attention needed.
10 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:23:59
Double the goals ??.
11 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:25:13
Can't see it happening though as most fans have paid good money to see their favourite team and will stand by them no matter what.
It's a real Catch-22 situation as not enough people will leave early to make enough of an impression and the passive supporters will seemingly accept anything remotely resembling a football team.
This why we are in this position. 30 years of accepting mediocrity.
I hope that there are massive changes afoot otherwise we will remain in the wilderness.
I can't believe that Moshiri after investing heavily in the club will be happy to keep things as they are.
12 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:26:06
Do you really think this lot can appoint somebody decent to manage our once great club..bill's comments at the dixies were cringe worthy,Wayne's smile when he got the shirt etc! So by all means slag off allardyce but make sure Bill and his cronies know they re not wanted here anymore,this club will continue to decline as long as they are here!
13 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:26:44
We've been in worse places at the end of the season before, and I've heard the ground singing none the less. That's what supporters are, and that's the bond we need with the players.
A simple chant of “fuck off Sam Allardyce†on 18 and 78 would be more than enough to get a message across.
14 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:29:36
What do you think Liverpool supporters would be doing . Would they allow their club to be building for the future with the footballing dinosaur that is Sam Allardyce.
Would Arsenal fans accept it if he was touted as their way forward ?
Why sit there sunbathing in complacency,giving the impression that you're happy for it continue, while the club falls further behind the top 6? It is totally unacceptable, unwatchable and depressing.
If they decide Sam is the best and only way forward for us, they should back him now with an extended contract. Otherwise he is a dead man walking.
16 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:35:09
Maybe the faithful could throw there current season tickets on to the pitch or better still at the Directors Box !?.
I do miss those cushions... sigh.
17 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:37:03
A definitive statement should have been made either he is staying or going - a combination of cowardice on the boards part and surprise, surprise arrogance on his.
It would be a telling statement if the ground was half empty at the final whistle.
As for the players I don't want half arsed laps of honour with people clapping them - they don't deserve it bar a few exceptions..
Time to do something or clap along like a sea lion at FS circus of shit.
18 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:49:47
19 Posted 05/05/2018 at 10:56:58
Just to hear Alan Green spout his well worn phrase "Goodness Gracious" as Goodison starts to empty will make me smile.
20 Posted 05/05/2018 at 11:08:33
These mostly ex players, who jump on each other's bandwagon, sometimes without using either their own eyes or their brains, would all be out of a fucking job in no time, if football was played the allardyce way.
21 Posted 05/05/2018 at 11:10:52
There were a few fans as long ago as 2003 who weren't at all satisfied with the club and its leadership, they made a banner and probably chanted rude things towards those in charge but not enough of us supported them.
Usually when the idea of showing disatisfaction with the club was raised, there were important games to be played and points to be won at either end of the table, today for Everton is not such a match and therefore it is an ideal game to show the hierarchy at the club that we are dissapointed and fed up of being taken for granted.
It is for that reason that I will be leaving early, it may only be a token gesture but at least I will know that I showed how unhappy I am with the club and its leadership.
22 Posted 05/05/2018 at 11:20:45
23 Posted 05/05/2018 at 11:42:44
Woke up to a Bluetiful Sky - - had breakfast in the garden - - up at my writing desk now - - from my window I can see The River as still as a painting - - a slight shimmering mystical mist slowly lifting to show the City at its early morning dressing table getting ready for the day - - The Liver Bird looking over into my room - - I 'm sure it winked and slightly nodded at me as if to say “not long now George we'll soon be turning this place Blueâ€.
The world of our Blue souls suddenly seemed so vast as to make even the current imbecilic custodians of our great Club seen insignificant - - they certainly do not seem to grasp or even try to understand our true long lasting lifetime heart tugging tearful love affair. That's why we made it through the years, we were made to love through thick and thin, our love just won't end, it's there, in our blood, in our thoughts, our breath, our dreams, our visions, our souls and our songs and poetry. We do not need to be paid to carry flags and flares we are true poets an artists and lovers - - it's our passion what floats in the air and our spirit that glows in the afternoon and evening sky.
“While she looks at you so cooly
And her eyes shine like the moon in the sea
She comes in incense and patchouli
So you take her, to find what's waiting inside
The year of the Cat
Well morning comes and you're still with her
And the bus and the tourists are gone
And you've thrown away your choice you've lost your ticket
So you have to stay on
But the drum-beat strains of the night remain
In the rhythm of the new-born day
You know sometime you're bound to leave her
But for now you're going to stay
In the year of the Catâ€
My “posso “waves and cosmic grooves have been severely tested since January - - I feel I can say this today - - my little “man flu†led to 3 months of constant doctors, bed, toilet, hospitals, tests, injections, medication for Prostate Cancer, but more worrying, concerns about “spreading†but just last night had a call from Clatterbridge saying everything was “contained to the prostate and is manageable and not life threatening†- - no spread - - so today when I go to The Palace of Westminster (Road) and walk in leaden footed and dull eyed like Mc Murphy back from “treatment†and then smile at my friends and fellow Blues: “How about it? You creeps, you lunatics, mental defectives? Let's hear it for Bull Goose Randall back in action... You ding-a-lings. The Mental Defective League, in formation - - They uh, was givin' me ten thousand watts a day, you know, and I'm hot to trot. The next woman who takes me out is gonna light up like a pinball machine, and pay off in silver dollarsâ€
I recall instantly some quotes from one of my favourite authors - - Vasily Grossman - - Life and Fate - - “I've realized now that hope almost never goes together with reason. It's something quite irrational and instinctive.†I knew all along that Vasily was a True Blue.
For the last home game I will go quite early - - although I cannot drink any alcohol at the moment - - lemonade and water for me - - when I was getting antibiotics for a few days they put me on water and biscuits - - I said I was like Papillion - - but nevertheless I am determined to enjoy MY day and not let some Balloon ruin my day - - never take medicine for other people's illness's - - also intend to make my protest - - our current Fool In Charge will not deter me nor drive me away - - ''A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees.'' - - and from William Blake - - who often sat naked on the roof of St.Lukes - - contemplating, composing - - 'Truly, My Satan, thou art but a Dunce, And dost not know the Garment from the Man†- - today is the day to show our selves, our spirit, our soul.
My cosmic battery, like my camera, is fully recharged and ready for action - - mouthorgan - - ready to blow man:
Can you surry, can you picnic?
Can you surry, can you picnic?
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
There'll be lots of time and wine
Red yellow honey, sassafras and moonshine
Red yellow honey
Sassafras and moonshine (moonshine)
Stoned soul, stoned soul
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Rain and sun come in akin
And from the sky come the Lord and the lightning
And from the sky come
The Lord and the lightning
Stoned soul, stoned soul
Surry on soul
Surry, Surry, Surry, Surry
There'll be trains of blossoms (there'll be trains of blossoms)
There'll be trains of music (there'll be music)
There'll be trains of trust, trains of golden dust
Come along and surry on sweet trains of thought
Surry on down
Can you surry, can you surry
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
There'll be lots of time and wine
Red yellow honey, sassafras and moonshine
Red yellow honey
Sassafras and moonshine (moonshine)
Stoned soul, stoned soul
Stoned soul yeah
Surry on soul
Surry
Up and ready - - scrubbed, rubbed, never dubbed, everything clean - - ears (including behind) washed, clean vest - - well your Mum knows best - - what could happen - - ''If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is,infinite.'' - - My Mum (like yours ) knew all about William Blake - - our Mums were Mystics before it was Mystical - - Mersey Mums - - Containers of Culture - - wisdom knowledge love passion vision - - they had it all - - you know Anne you were a “pearler†- - God Bless Our Mums and Nins - - Fountains of Knowledge and Wisdom - - and hard cases.
It's good that it's a Bluetiful Blue Day and I can Surry on Down under the Tunnel, along Scotty, Stanley Road - - eyes right on Boundary Street where Bobs was - - I was the Paper Boy there until about 3 months ago - - look left to St Ollies - - Father Winder and Saturday Night Confessions - - and then onto Spensos for a Sas or Horlicks for being good - - Sunday Morning Mass and Communion - - Harcourt Street further along and Mary Walsh (Cool Beyond Belief) - - Sunday Night at The CI - - Blue Silk Suit - - two Vents at the back - - 3 button with top one fastened - - Yellow Ben Sherman Button Down - - Open neck and silk cravat - - Saxon Comos Ox Bloods - - Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions - - (say) Its Allright - - Daisy Street School - - and then down onto Wessie Road - - and there I can see it - - TDH and slightly above it touching the Blue Sky - - Goodison - - these are the Streets and The Walks of my Childhood and Youth and nobody - - No Big Suited Double Breasted Balloon with more faces that the Town Hall Clock - - is going to stop me - - see you there later and forever.
There are many many crazy things
That will keep me loving you
And with your permission
May I list a few
The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can't take that away from me
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no they can't take that away from me
We may never never meet again, on that bumpy road to love
Still I'll always, always keep the memory of
The way you hold your knife
The way we danced until three
The way you changed my life
No, no they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away from me
Dan's Dan just called me and him and Dan and his Mum will see me as usual in The Park End and then join me at House of Ambrosia (TDH) - - Dan as you may know just won Everton Fan of the year at The Dixies - - Well Done Dantastic - www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7Lt84h7rgQ
So I am off soon - - I send Ginormous Cosmic Blue Grooves to Evertonians and Dear Friends everywhere - - Love and Peace to You All - - Your friend - - George.
Someday soon I hope good things come to you
And someday soon hope your wishes all come true
Keep holding on to the love that has brought you here
And someday soon darkness will disappear
24 Posted 05/05/2018 at 11:43:51
Jags, Keane, RFM.
Seamus, Gana, Snides, Baines.
Walcott, Vlasic.
Tosun.
Let them have a go Allardyce FFS!
25 Posted 05/05/2018 at 11:49:33
I hope you keep yours at bay or get rid of it. You're one of the great Everton characters so I hope to see you well and back on TV soon.
26 Posted 05/05/2018 at 11:51:28
27 Posted 05/05/2018 at 11:53:19
It will be a long summer, without your special posts to help us through - sorry to hear that you were ill - made up to hear that you are fit and able to attend Goodison - Cosmic grooves to you and yours George - enjoy the sunshine.
28 Posted 05/05/2018 at 12:09:04
29 Posted 05/05/2018 at 12:37:11
30 Posted 05/05/2018 at 12:39:05
Puts things into perspective really doesn't it.
31 Posted 05/05/2018 at 12:43:58
32 Posted 05/05/2018 at 12:44:47
Good to hear you are on the mend, having lost my mum to cancer recently it is heartwarming to hear a positive story.
Cosmic grooves, waves and blue photonic plasmas sent with love from this Evernut to you.
33 Posted 05/05/2018 at 12:48:15
34 Posted 05/05/2018 at 12:48:23
He'll probably start Rooney again today in midfield, even though he's being shocking, instead of giving Klaassen a chance to boost his confidence.
35 Posted 05/05/2018 at 12:55:40
Top Of The World Ma.
36 Posted 05/05/2018 at 13:02:14
37 Posted 05/05/2018 at 13:08:27
The players have previously downed tools when they've wanted rid of a manager. There's been no evidence of that thus far.
I think the decision will have already been made and the club already know how the fans feel. The 78th minute is going to be interesting.
38 Posted 05/05/2018 at 13:13:25
3-0 up on 78 minutes?
That wouldn't be bemusing that would be miarculous!
39 Posted 05/05/2018 at 13:22:46
40 Posted 05/05/2018 at 13:29:09
41 Posted 05/05/2018 at 13:50:22
Where does Rooney go from here? Schneiderlin would be finished in his wage bracket if he had not picked his form up. Tosun would be sent back to turkey and would be unlikely to get another chance, Walcott is playing for the World Cup, Gueye would perform for anyone. 3 of the back 4 are consummate professionals. Keane is still stuttering but his career is on the line also.
42 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:03:39
43 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:11:28
Brian's even invented a new word for the unlikely event - 'miarculous'.
It really would just be your luck. An absolute barnstormer of a game and you're looking back over your shoulder as you shuffle away.
44 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:16:37
I'd also just watch it on the TVs downstairs.
45 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:32:01
Their lap of dishonour will be in a bin-wagon.
Feel sorry for the fans, but they are always the victims of relegation, players will move on.
46 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:39:17
Great to hear you're on the mend George and you have the close season now to fully recover.
Loved the lyrics of that Gershwin classic, one of my fav tunes of all time.
Thanks for all the smiles this season.
47 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:43:03
48 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:45:27
49 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:46:27
Enjoy your day George and all Blue Boys at the game, I'll be walking out as planned at seventy eight minutes to satisfy my beliefs that Everton deserve better than Allardyce to manage our club, I think he is going anyway but every little helps, for those who are staying, fair enough, each to his own.
To all Evertonians who can't make it to the game but would have walked out, well I'm walking out for you as well as myself.
50 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:47:48
51 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:56:05
A walkout when we are winning handsomely sends the strongest message of all I would say.
Regardless of the score though we have to force the club to take note. My season ticket is for the Top Balcony but I have given that up to a friend for today who has promised they will walk out. Meanwhile I have purchased 2 tickets for the Par End so I can take my daughter and we can both walk out.
All out of the gate on 78.
All out of the gate on 78.
52 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:56:05
A walkout when we are winning handsomely sends the strongest message of all I would say.
Regardless of the score though we have to force the club to take note. My season ticket is for the Top Balcony but I have given that up to a friend for today who has promised they will walk out. Meanwhile I have purchased 2 tickets for the Par End so I can take my daughter and we can both walk out.
All out of the gate on 78.
All out of the gate on 78.
53 Posted 05/05/2018 at 14:56:42
54 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:05:28
Best wishes to George and Mr Ferns Senior!
55 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:05:52
56 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:07:04
57 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:09:57
58 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:10:28
59 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:12:38
60 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:14:07
61 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:18:03
62 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:31:56
Lovely to hear you are on the mend. I look forward to your Saturday musings from the Wirral. always poignant, always moving, always funny. Loved the Mc Murphy reference took me back back to being teenager.
If we keep taking the medicine our very own Nurse Ratchet is doping us with - we are going to be anaesthetised forever. You should do the team talk George - rather than that gum chewing ogre - at least the players would be feeling positive.
Have a great day with your posse George.
63 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:33:29
64 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:42:03
65 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:51:33
66 Posted 05/05/2018 at 15:56:10
67 Posted 05/05/2018 at 16:07:04
Should never ever of got rid of Delefeou also in my opinion.
68 Posted 05/05/2018 at 16:12:58
69 Posted 05/05/2018 at 16:14:34
While I agree regarding Lookman of course, we didn't get rid of Deulofeu. Barcelona took him back using the clause in his contract.
70 Posted 05/05/2018 at 16:19:21
71 Posted 05/05/2018 at 16:20:08
72 Posted 05/05/2018 at 16:24:38
73 Posted 05/05/2018 at 16:33:22
74 Posted 05/05/2018 at 16:35:42
Schneiderlin, Vlasic, Davies
Bolasie, Tosun
[BRZ]
75 Posted 05/05/2018 at 16:50:10
He scores the first and third goals and contributes to the fourth.
[BRZ]
76 Posted 05/05/2018 at 17:00:42
WBA's fate remains in the hands of others, but you have to doff your cap to Darren Moore who has inspired a remarkable turnaround from their 'dead men walking' position of just a few weeks ago.
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1 Posted 05/05/2018 at 09:10:59